Saint James the Less (1633) by Francisco de Zurbarán - Public Domain Catholic Painting

St. James the Less, also known as James, son of Alphaeus or James the Younger^[1], was one of the Twelve chosen by Jesus and is believed to have been a bishop of a church consisting mainly of Jewish converts^[4]. He is thought to have been born around the 1st century CE and his feast day is celebrated on May 3 in the Western Church and October 9 in the Eastern Church^[2].

He is believed to be the same person as James, brother of Jesus and son of Alphaeus^[1][3]. His mother Mary was either a sister or close relative of the Blessed Virgin Mary^[3]. It is thought that he wrote his epistle around 49 AD, although some scholars believe it was written after St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans^[3].

St. James was subject to persecution from Jews who were angered by St. Paul's appeal to Caesar in 60 AD^[4]. Despite this, his singular virtue earned him respect from even those who persecuted him^[5]. The oriental liturgy or mass which bears his name is mentioned by Proclus, patriarch of Constantinople and by the council in Trullo and is considered very ancient^[4].

Francisco de Zurbarán was a Spanish painter of the 17th century^[1][2]. He is known for his religious paintings depicting monks, nuns, and martyrs, as well as his still-lifes^[1]. He was the leading painter in Seville between 1623 and 1650s^[3], and is renowned for his use of tenebrism^[4].